Hey, let's celebrate! Today I got my five (count'em!) new "Wheels of Time" 70' baggage cars (two NYC, one Wabash, C&NW, T&P). Generally very impressed, nice and very needed. Paint is crisp, especially the Texas and Pacific/Mopac car; that is sharp, WOW! The freestanding grabs are fabulous, especially on the roof, see pics. They weigh in at a healthy 1.6oz/45 grams, which is probably appropriate for headend cars most susceptible to stringlining because they tend to be, well, on the head end with a lot of weight behind them... The only beef I have is the wheels; they are metal but fat and have a poor outer profile, like IM?, and they are not blackened so they stand out. They also do not roll very well in their six wheel trucks. Maybe it's "Time" to upgrade the "Wheels"...just saying.... Still, overall a home run! Regards, Otto
Here's some more pics with the original wheels and Fox Valley 36" replacements...a relatively easy fix, but a $5 investment per car... The second pic shows both the original wheelset on the right and FVM's on the middle and left axles. The FVM's also roll much better. Looking at the droopy coupler, I'll probably bodymount, too.... Otto
I got mine as a Christmas present [to myself of course ]. They really do look great... specially the D&RGW version. I also got the 2 car T&P set. Other than 'looks'... is there any other reason to swap-out the original wheels on these cars... were you having problems with the original wheelsets?
Yes I did/do; the cars don't roll freely; a couple of them won't roll down a 3% grade on their own. I run with steam and can't afford the extra drag. Otto
Can you please tell me in which train consists this cars were running as I have no idea, especially the T&P and NYC cars? Did the CB&Q and ATSF oder GN forward these cars from Chicago to the West Coast? And were they forwarded in special mail trains or as head end cars in secondary passenger trains?
Frank, during the transition era, the Mopac/T&P and NYC cars are a good bet for Santa Fe's Fast Mail and Express to LA (#7) and perhaps also ocassionally the Grand Canyon. Don't know about the GN or CB&Q. Regards, Otto
Pete, I tried the .540's and they work but are a bit loose. The .553's are a perfect fit. Regards, Otto
This thread would be easier to understand if you could reveal who makes these cars ! fatalxsunrider43
Yep, well "Wheels Of Time" had me going for a minute or two until I realized this is the company that made the Harriman style Baggage Cars and now they are putting out a heavy weight version. As Mark pointed out it's the company or manufacturer making equipment that's as close to the real deal as is possible.cute: I'd post a picture of the Harriman baggage and/or mail car but I don't want to infringe on any copyrights.
Arrrrggggghhh... I couldn't believe it... ... until I actually tried it on my layout. I put it on the 2% grade and it just sat there as if the wheels were square! It's a gorgeous model though... and if it takes buying some wheels to make it perfect... $5.00 is worth it. Too bad it wasn't perfect at the price we paid...
